Electric interrupter and intermitter.



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ELECTRIC INTERRUPTER AND INTERMITTER.

- APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8. 1907.

'No. 887,096. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908. J. R. KELLEY.

ELECTRIC INTERRUPTBR AND INTERMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8, 1907.

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. A TTORNE Y.

JOHN ROBERT KELLEY,

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ELECTRIC INTEBRUPTER AND INTERMITTER.

Application filed August 8, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN ROBERT KELLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric .ln'terrupters and lntermitters, of which the following is a specification.

The several features of my invention and the various advantages resulting from their use conjointly or otherwise will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts,-Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an apparatus illustrating certain features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a detail, to wit: of the lower portion of an anode constructed according to my invention, and of the lower portion of a surrounding porcelain protective sheath. Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the same detail shown in Fig. 2, but' illustrating the manner in which the bottom edge of the anode is removed by the chemical action of the operation in which the anode participates. Fig. 4

a vertical central section of the lower portion of an anode embodying a feature of my invention. This figure also shows the lower portion of a porcelain tube for insulating the anode and also for protecting it from deflection. Fig. 5 is a vertical central section of the lower portion of an anode illustrating two features of my invention, and also showing the mode in which erosion occurs, when this anode is in use. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the lower end portion of an anode as made prior to my invention, the lower end portion of the protective porcelain tube being shown. Fig. 7 is a vertical central section of the lower end portion of said. porcelain tube, and of the lower portion of the said common make of anode, such as is illustrated in Fig. 6, but in this Fig. 7 the mode in which the anode is eroded by electrochemical action when in use is illustrated. Fig. 8 is a vertical central section, illustrating the position of an eroded anode, relative to the inner surface of the porcelain tube, when it (this anode) is retracted within the porcelain tube, for diminishing the capacity of the apparatus. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken through the sleeve of a device on the switch cell board for adjustably holding the support of the anode.

In this "figure, the set Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1908.

Serial No. 387,707.

screw is left in elevation. The section is taken in the plane of the dotted. line 9, 9, of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a vertical central section of an anode and connecting portions, all illustrating features of my invention. The porcelain embracing tube is also shown in section. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the cell primarily adapted for interrupter and rectifier devices, but here illustrating its further application to an electro-chemical battery. Fig. 12 is a view in perspective of the switclrboard, the parts upheld by it and showing the mechanism for supporting the anode, and for setting the anode at any desired height, and thus also enabling it to be fed downward.

I will now proceed to describe my invention in detail. It is to be understood that in an apparatus for a chemical interrupter for use in interrupting a direct current, or for an alternating current, a cell is present holding chemicals in solution, and a positive plate or rod and a negative plate or rod are present and a portion. of each of said plates or rods is immersed in the liquid.

The function, of the interrupter is to break up an electric primary current into a very great number of sudden separate impulses, such as are necessary for the operation of an induction coil for Roentgen and other work.

Chemical interrupters, when in competent condition for perfect operation, are in very great favor for Roentgen coils.

It is to be borne in mind that in the preferred construction in the present state of the art, the anode extends downward. from the insulating protective tube, that the anode can be drawn up into this tube, that in the degree and. to the extent in which the anode is moved down and projects below the insulating tube, so the capacity of the anode for interruption and conduction is increased, and according as the anode is drawn back into the insulating tube and its surface below the insulating tube is diminished, so the number of its interruptions will be l11Gl'Gt1S6(l,zl11(l its conductivity will be decreased. The amount of surface of the anode exposed to the fluid in the cell regulates the intensity and. speed of the interrupter. The anode at present in general use consists of a blunt ended. solid Wire. When such an anode is new and is drawn back more or less, up within the porcelain tube, no appreciable crevice exists between the side of the anode in this tube and the adjacent surface of the tube, and no liquid can get up between the anode and the tube to disturb or injure the effective operation of the anode.

As heretofore constructed, the conical interrupters have been difficult to keep in a normal working condition, principally because the immersed positive, or anode, is rapidly eat en away by the chemical or chemicals under the high stimulus of the current, in such a manner that it becomes sharp pointed. So soon as the anode becomes thus sharp point ed, it becomes inefficient. For instance, when the anode is down and extends for such a distance below the porcelain tube, as would enable it when new and not eroded to have its full or maximum capacity for interruption and conduction, it will when thus pointed not be efiicient. Its action may and will be usually regular, but it is not efficient because the interruptions take place by degrees and in (so to speak) prolonged intervals and not abruptly as they should do. This injurious destruction of the anode itself, resulting in shaping the anode into an improper form, and this form effecting when exposed for a maximum or substantially maximum capacity, a very inefficient operation, is clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. There K indicates the lower end portion of the insulating tube usually of porcelain, whose functions have been already mentioned. The lower end part of the anode E extends down beyond the insulating tube K. This anode consists of a piece of solid wire, having, in the first instance, that is, when first put to use, a blunt as well as solid end as shown in Fig. 2. The electro-chemical action present, when the apparatus is in use, rapidly eats away the edges of this blunt end part E and reduces this portion to a conical or pointed one B, of a shape such as is shown in Fig. 7. On the other hand, in case a diminished capacity of the sharp pointed anode is desired, the following is to be noted :l hile the wire rod is new (and therefore not eroded), then when it is partly retracted up into the cavity of the insulating cylinder K, for minimizing the capacity of the anode, there will be no cavity M. The surface of the short end portion of the anode which protrudes will be all that contributes to cause the interruptive action desired, and this action will be regular. But when the anode has been reduced by erosion to the shape of an elongated conical cone, then when the anode is retracted as aforesaid to reduce the capacity of the apparatus, and as to either amount of intensity or speed of interruptions or both, there is present the crevice M. The surface of the anode in this crevice will be in action as well as the part which projects below the end of the insulating cylinder, and not only the shape of the crevice but the partly inclosed situation of a working portion of the anode contributes to cause the interruptions it makes to be irregular and inconstant. To the extent in which the inclined or beveled portion of this anode is drawn up into the insulating tube, will the desired regular action of this minimizing capacity be interfered withby reason o l the cavity. Hence when the lower portion of the anode becomes conical, the efficient operation of the apparatus is destroyed. The position of the sharp pointed (that eroded) anode when put in the position (required of the anode) for affording a minimum capacity of work, is illustrated in Fig. 8. When the anode is retracted to operate, as aforementioned, with its minimum capacity, nearly all that remains of this erosivelyeaten end portion of this wire L is located within the insulating tube K. The. crevices alluded to as then present between the anode wire and the tube are indicated by the letters M, M. Where the anode wire is cylindrical, the crevice M will extend around the anode wire in the form of a ring. The hubbles formed in this crevice or crevices M, by chemical action during the progress of the electric current through the apparatus act explosively and. blow the liquid out from this crevice. Until the liquid returns the forward movement of the electric current is at a standstill. Inasmuch as the blowing out of these bubbles is at irregular times, the return of the chemical liquid is equally irregular, and the movement of the current is made irregular in the periods of their recurrence. Hence the operation of the apparatus becomes useless.

One feature of my invention consists in making the anode wire hollow, that is tubular. Such an anode is illustrated in Fig. 2, where L indicates the lower portion of the anode and S indicates the hollow space within this anode. It is at once evident that no central point can be formed on this anode, because the anode has no central portion out of which to form such a point.

When the hollow wire has been in use long enough to have been slightly eroded, so that the edges of the end show, a slight bevel, as at T, see Figs. 3 and 4, the anode has come to a permanent shape, and any further erosion will not further change its shape, but such erosion will be uniformly distributed over the end, and leave it to present the same exact contour to the liquidv continuously, which contour is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, and is the one practically as favorable to the best interruptions of the current as is that of a new solid blunt ended wire, such as was referred to as shown in Fig. 5.

The surface of the sides of the anode exposed below the porcelain and above the bevel T will be very slightly affected by electro chemic action. Such a condition is so insignificant as to be unworthy of mention, and does not perceptibly interfere with the eflicient operation of the apparatus as a whole.

Obviously the perfect operation of the anode inv the matter of securing in rapid and regular succession. the desired interruptions or intervals will be continued for a long and.

satisfactory period, namely: until the entire anode wire shall have been consumed.

Another feature of my invention consists in combining two metals in the wire anode. In this combination, I use a hollow cylindrical rod or wire of a highly refractory metal such as or like to alloyed platino-iridium, and a core for this hollow cylindrical or tubular rod or wire of metal or alloy made of a somewhat less refractory metal or alloy. In this manner, I maintain a solid blunt ended wire or rod which effectually retains its shape, notwithstamling the erosive action of the chemicals. It maintains a normal, uniform-and very effective interruption of the current, such that a Roentgen tube may be operated continuously without attention. Thus in Figs. 5 and 10, the hollow cylinder or tubular rod IJ contains a core This core, as heretofore mentioned, is made of a refractory metal or alloy, of a somewhat less refractory kind than that of the embracing cylindrical rod L. Such a preferred metal is typically represented by gold, usually an alloy of gold.

The erosive chemical action of the apparatus is very effectually resisted by. this anode. Its duration in a working condition is much longer than that of the blunt ended solid one piece wire anode.

In order to conveniently utilize the anode for its entire length, and to suitably support it and properly protect that part or those portions of the support which cooperate to contribute an. electric medium for the passage of the electric current, and to lengthen the duration of these portions of the apparatus, I have provided important constituent and coi'iperative devices, namely: the cylindrical tube 11, of a highly refractory metal or alloy, as for example, platino-iridium, is provided with a female screw thread L The core IV consisting of a less refractory metal or alloy, as for instance gold, as aforesaid, has the screw thread formed on its outer surface, and a portion of the core having this screw thread I'V is screwed into the tube Ii substantially as shown in Fig. 10. This gold core W which may be termed a wire or slender rod. has, at its upper end, a screw thread VI and this end is screwed into a screw threaded aperture X having a female screw X which ci'igages the screw thread i This copper rod X is the preferred means for connecting the said anode with the circuit at the platform above the cell. Lead is cast around the gold wire, and lead. is cast around the copper wire for as great a portion of its length as ought to be or is in contact with the chemical solution in the cell. This lead coating, cover or sheath It is continuous from the point Where the upper end of the cylindrical tube L of the anode ends to that upper place on the copper rod where it, the sheath, ends. This continuity of the lead effectually prevents the chemical solution from reaching the gold rod, and from reaching the copper rod, and. the chemical solution is thus prevented from eroding these goldv and copper portions of this device.

A preferred and most useful method of fastening the shank of the copper rod X to the binding post Y consists in providing the upper end of this rod X with a long return bend X A large washer is located on the shank of the binding screw Y. The latter passes between the parallel adjacent portions of the red X, see F 11. By advancing the binding screw Y into the binding post Y, the washer Y is brought against these parallel portions of the rod X and the rod X is securely clamped between this washer and the binding post.

In the original setting of this anode, it can, as is seen, be readily set at the desired. place of immersion and to the desired extent of immersion. Thereafter, as the anode is gradually consumed, the remainder of it can be readily moved down to make use of its reserved length as from time to time it is found necessary.

The elevation and depression of the anode relative to the insulating tube may be accomplished in any suitable manner. In the illustrative Fig. 12, I have shown a convenient form of means for easily moving the anode up and. down relatively to the insulating tube to decrease or increase the degree of the operative capacity of the anode, to wit: for the purpose of passing a greater or less amount of current andv of regulating the rapidityof interruptions. These illustrative means consist of the handle J, pivotally fulcrumed at J and pivotally connected to the binding post at J". hen desired, two or more of such anodes may be located in the same cell.

In Fig. 12, copper wire X for supporting a second anode is shown above the switch platform. I have omitted extending it down below this platform, as the presence of it and of its porcelain sheath would tend to confuse the illustration. As it would be a duplicate of the anode already described, further description of it is properly omitted.

I have provided, in furtherance of my improvements for interru ter and rectifier apparatus, a convenient ce l, simple of construction and economic of manufacture, as follows: The receptacle or cell consists of a glass vessel A, whose shape is preferably globular. A central small portion A of the bottom thereof is flattened, and on this flattened portion the vessel rests. The top of this vessel A is open. and is preferably provided with a flange A extending vertically upward.

The bottom A of the vessel A rests upon a supporting block or plate 0 preferably of wood, but this bottom A" preferably does not rest directly upon the plate, but upon a layer of suitable soft elastic material A", which may be of cloth, rubber, or other cushioning material. It is preferably of rubber. Above this glass globe is a block or plate C, preferably also of wood, of three ply to prevent warping or cracking. This block has a large opening F centrally located and preferably circular. Through this opening projects upwardly the flange A of the glass vessel. These two plates 0 and C are secured together by means of proper connections, such as for instance the bolt rods G at suitable intervals around the vessel. These rods are prevented from slipping through the plates 0 and U and these plates are prevented from slipping thereon by suitable set nuts G G. Thus the globular vessel A and the plates C- and C thus combined constitute a very convenient and portable cell. Over the top of this cell is located the plate or block I carrying the binding posts, and what other closely related mechanism may desir ably be put there. One description of such mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 12. This block or plate F is duly secured in place and in the present illustrative instance it is secured in position to the upper plate (1 by means of the bolts F and the set nuts I, F", or equivalent means.

II indicates the usual negative pole or the pole opposite that of the anode.

When the cell is used for an alternating l rectifier, H indicates, as before, the negative pole, and the parts Z indicate the positive pole, see Fig. 11.

hat I claim as new, and of my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s:

1. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, an anode consisting of a tube or hollow cylinder, of a refractory metal or alloy, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, an anode consisting of a tube or hollow cylinder made of a very refractory metal or alloy, and a core within this tube or hollow i cylinder, this core made of a less refractory metal, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In an electric interrupter and inter-.

initter, an anode consisting of a tube or hollow cylinder made of platino-n'idium, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

-l. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, an anode, consisting of a tube or hollow cylinder, made of platine-iridium, and a core within said tube or hollow cylinder consisting of gold, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In an electric interrupter and inter mitter, an anode consisting of a tube or hollow cylinder made of a quite refractory metal, and a core within this tube or hollow cylinder f or cylinder made of a very refractory metal or alloy, a core of less refractory metal or alloy screwed into the tube, this core extended above the hollow tube and a copper wire or rod. connected to this extended gold core, substantially as and for the purposes specified. 7

S. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, an anode consisting of a hollow tube or cylinder made of a very refractory metal or alloy, a core of less refractory metal or alloy screwed into this tube, this core extended above the hollow tube and a copper wire or rod screwed to this extended gold core, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, an anode consisting of a hollow tube or cylinder made of a very refractory metal or alloy, a core of less refractory metal or alloy screwed into the tube, this core extended l above the hollow tube, and a copper wire or 1 rod connected to this extended gold core, this 1 core above the hollow tube and cylinder and l the copper rod to a point above the line of l immersion both being covered with a lead enl velop, substantially as and. for the purposes l l l l l specified.

10. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, an anode consisting of a hollow cylinder or tube made of platino-iridiun1. a core of gold screwed therein and extending above i the tube, and a copper rod or wire screwed to E this gold core wire, a coating of lead embracing the gold core above the tube and also mm 1 bracing the copper rod, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

, 11. In an electricinterrupter and intermitl ter, an anode consisting of a hollow tube or cylinder made of a very refractory metal or l alloy, :1 core of less refractory metal or alloy screwed into this tube, this core extended l above the hollow tube and a copper wire or rod connected to this extended gold tube, the upper end of the copper rod being bent upon itself, a clam 'iing device on the binding post i for adjustably holding the portions of the l copper wire in the vicinity of the bend, subl stantially as and for the purposes specified. 12. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, the anode and its supporting rod, at its upper end provided with a returnbend, a binding post, a thumb screw whose shank screws 5 into the binding post, this shank located between the parallel portions of the bent end portion of the said supporting rod, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. in an electric interrupter and intermitter, the anode and its supporting rod, at its upper end provided with a return bend, a binding post, a thumb screw whose shank screws into the binding post, this shank looated between the parallel portions of the an elastic cushion between the'cell and the glass and globular, and provided with a central opening above surrounded. with an upwardly extending flange, and with a flat central bottom portion, and a bottom plate, and

an elastic cushion between the cell and the plate, also with an upper plate, inclosing the flange of the cell, and rods and nuts for holding the upper and lower plates relatively in position, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

16. A cell for electric uses, the cell being of glass and globular, and provided with a central opening above surrounded with an upwardly extending flange, and with a fiat central bottom portion, and a bottom plate, and an elastic cushion between the cell and the plate, also with an upper plate, inclosing the flange of the cell, and rods and nuts for holding the upper and lower plates relatively in position, in combination with the negative cathode, and the positive pole, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. In an electric interrupter and intermitter, the anode, means for connecting it to the binding post, the binding post, a pivoted lever carrying the binding post for elevating and depressing it, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

JOHN ROBERT KELLEY. Attest:

WM. H. PUGH, K. SMITH. 

